Ukraine’s New Solar Energy Initiative for Energy Independence
When the centralized energy system collapses under war, survival depends on flexibility. And flexibility-local solutions, decentralized control, energy autonomy-is becoming Ukraine’s new power strategy.
Last week in London, during the Octopus Energy Tech Summit, a groundbreaking initiative was launched: RISE (Resilient Independent Solar Energy). The program, a joint effort by Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK and UK-based Octopus Energy Group, aims to revolutionize energy resilience in Ukraine by deploying rooftop solar power and storage systems across businesses and public sector buildings.
What is RISE about?
RISE is Ukraine’s first large-scale initiative to install rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems. These installations will be powered and managed by Kraken, Octopus Energy’s AI-based smart energy platform.
The target: raise €100 million over the next three years to finance 100 local energy projects. This isn’t just a green energy leap it’s a strategic move toward energy stability amid war, outages, and soaring electricity prices.
Why now?
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, nearly 70% of Ukraine’s thermal generation capacity has been destroyed, damaged, or occupied. This has exposed the vulnerabilities of centralized energy systems.
RISE addresses this challenge with decentralization. It enables buildings to produce and manage their own power independently. DTEK’s CEO Maksym Timchenko described it as a turning point:
“It’s not just about recovery. It’s about accelerating the shift to decentralized energy. By combining investments, technology, and international support, we empower communities and businesses to take control of their energy future.”
How will it work?
Installations will be carried out by D.Solutions (brand YASNO, part of DTEK), directly on customer sites. The Kraken platform will allow real-time optimization of energy consumption, reduce peak loads, and enable the sale of surplus electricity to the grid. This enhances both autonomy and cost-efficiency.
Revelant
Who supports the initiative?
The UK government backs the project. Octopus Energy has opened a Ukrainian office and plans to expand cooperation into air defense, maritime security, and interceptor technology.
“Ukraine has shown extraordinary resilience. They’re not just rebuilding, they’re redesigning their energy future with decentralized, smart systems. Kraken can make this vision real,” said Octopus CEO Greg Jackson.
Why it matters beyond business
RISE is not only about helping companies. It’s a model of community energy independence. In the future, hospitals, schools, municipalities, and even residential buildings could adopt similar systems, reducing reliance on vulnerable centralized infrastructure.
What’s next?
The initiative has just begun, but its potential is immense. If scaled, RISE could become the foundation of a grassroots energy independence movement—one built by communities, not just governments.
If you want energy security, start producing your own. Ukraine is learning to not just survive but take control. RISE is a step in that direction.
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